Well the CES keynote is approaching and after the disappointment of the Macworld keynote we’re hoping that Microsoft can make the most of this opportunity. On the Apple keynote I thought Phil did an excellent job considering the products he was introducing. I would like to see how he would deliver an iPhone level announcement. I suspect tonight’s keynote is going to focus on integration. Hopefully they’re going to show us how Microsoft products fit together and how they fit in with future products such as Windows 7.

1. Windows 7. This has got to play a major role in today’s keynote. Showing the integration with Windows Live, ability to run on Netbooks and finally the availability of the beta to testers.

2. Zune Phone. If this product is ever going to be announced then this has got to be the time to do it. The HTC Touch HD is getting great reviews even though it is running Windows Mobile 6.1 and Macworld had nothing that the media can really get it’s teeth into. This new competitive Windows Mobile to be available in Q2 would be perfect.

3. Live Framework. To keep developers happy we’ll probably see the introduction of Live Framework giving integration with Live services as well as Live Mesh and Azure. We will also hopefully be able to get our hands on the online Office applications. If they are released now for free they’ll wipe the floor with iWork.com.

4. XBox360. Considering the success of this console it would be hard to believe that it won’t make an appearance. Closer integration with the Live services and probably a few new games.

image from microsoft.com

Labels: CES 2009, Microsoft, Microsoft Office 2007, Steve Ballmer, Windows 7, Windows Live, XBox360, Zune

Labels: Microsoft, XBox Live, XBox360

I've just been watching the trailer for the new XBox 360 Dashboard and it's looking good, it's looking very very good. This is one of the first time's I've seen Microsoft really get the concept of style nailed. The new dashboard seems to use a coverflow style to show different TV shows, films and games that can be viewed/downloaded. An example of the new style can now be seen on the http:\\www.xbox.com home page. I wonder will the new media centre look anything like this?

Another change is going to be the creation of Avatars. These are the little characters that you create on the Nintendo Wii who are then included in some games and online and basically it's a digital version of yourself. The 360 versions seem to be exactly the same and could be quite and interesting new feature depending on whether or not games actually bother to support them.

The third change will be the ability to rip a game to your 360 hard drive. This will turn off the DVD-Drive and allow the game to run directly from the HDD. The feature will allow games to run a little faster but more importantly they will silence the 360 and make it welcome in bedrooms once more.

The final change that I find exciting is the deal with Netflix that will allow 360 users to rent a film from Netflix through the dashboard and then watch them on your 360. This is an excellent new feature that adds tremendous functionality and once we see television shows here in the UK on the 360 this will really start to put the pressure on iTunes.

There's obviously a long way to go yet for Microsoft to bring all it's services up to this kind of level but if Steve Ballmer follows through on his promises to improve the mobile and windows platforms, I have to assume that means the Zune too, then there could be some great things to come.

Image from oxm.co.uk

Labels: Microsoft, Netflix, Wii, XBox360, Zune

After the success of the original Gears of War the news of the follow up has me salivating in anticipation already :)

Labels: Gears of War 2, XBox360

Browsing through the US Patent website today I discovered a newly published patent from Sony regarding, among other things, the EyeToy. I'll let you judge for yourself from the pictures below but it seems to me that Sony are about to take on Nintendo at their own game. The EyeToy looks to be supporting the kind of movement aware games we've now grown to love on the Wii and coupled with the immense power of the  console and the triumph of Blu-Ray over HD-DVD this could mean real problems for the Xbox360 and the Wii. 2008 could be Sony's year yet.

Labels: EyeToy, PS3, Sony, Wii, XBox360

This is something that obviously affects all Xbox LIVE users.

Xbox Live Accounts at risk! Account thieves using Pre-texting methods to gain access to your Xbox Account.

read more | digg story

The end of the article claims that Microsoft won't react unless something is a huge PR issue so this needs to be blogged and dugg by as many people as possible. Lets force them to get it fixed.

Labels: Microsoft, XBox Live, XBox360

Microsoft always keep their backs covered in this sort of format war and HD-DVD v Blu-ray appears to be no different.

The latest company to possibly jump on the Blu-ray bandwagon is none other than Microsoft itself, the backers of the rival HD-DVD format.According to BetaNews, Albert Penello, director for global marketing at Microsoft, revealed that while his company will continue to back the HD-DVD for the 360, that because of the external drive capability of the Xbox, that it would be also possible to ship a Blu-ray drive for the game machine if HD-DVD didn't survive the battle against Blu-ray.

read more | digg story

A point to note for Sony is that a 360 with Blu-ray means I can play all my movies on my big Samsung/Panasonic tele with no need to buy a PS3 or a Blu-ray player. Microsoft should produce this drive and finish the PS3 off.

Labels: Blu-ray, HD-DVD, Microsoft, PS3, Sony, XBox360